Grill cloth for loudspeaker

ABSTRACT

An enclosure for a loudspeaker provided with a frame spaced therefrom and supporting a cloth which is porous and is provided with a plurality of closely spaced elongated strips of metallic foil secured to the cloth at one end. When sound is emitted from the enclosure, the cloth moves and the strips flutter and glitter.

United States Patent [1 1 3,635,307 Lewis 5] Jan. 18, 1972 [54] GRILL CLOTH FOR LOUDSPEAKER 3,291,251 12/1966 Zemrowski ..181/31 B [72] Inventor: Frank L. Lewis, 2122 N. 26th St., Prima E ry xammerStephen J. Tomsky Tacoma wash 98403 Attorney-Seed, Berry & Dowrey [22] Filed: Jan.6, 1970 [57] ABSTRACT [21] App]. No.: 986

An enclosure for a loudspeaker provided with a frame spaced therefrom and supporting a cloth which is porous and is pro- [52] U.S.Cl ..18l/3l B vided with a m f closely Spaced elongatcd Strips of -G10k 13/00,H04l' l/28 metallic foil secured to the cloth at one end. When sound is 1 Field ofsearchm- --18l/31R,31A,3l B emitted from the enclosure, the cloth moves and the strips flutter and glitter. [56] References Cited 5 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,066,381 12/1962 Goodman .28/78 lll GRIIIL CLOTII FOR LOUDSPEAKER SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A hollow frame supports peripherally a taut porous cloth having an outer surface provided with a plurality of closely spaced elongated strips of metallic foil secured at one end to the cloth and normally pointing essentially downwards. The frame is secured to the front panel of the loudspeaker enclosure, separating the cloth from the diaphragm of the speaker by an air space. When the speaker is actuated and the sound waves produced pass outwardly through a port in the front panel and strike the cloth and elements, the cloth moves and the elements flutter and glitter, the functional cooperation between the loudspeaker sound waves and the cloth and elements thus providing an unusual visual effect.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an enclosure in accordance with my invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross section taken along line 2-2 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged detail view of a portion of my invention when no sound is produced; and

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 but illustrating the condition when sound waves are generated.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to FIGS. 1-4, an enclosure has a front panel 12 with a port 147 A loudspeaker 16 is disposed within the enclosure with its diaphragm support coupled to the inside of the port. A hollow rectangular frame 18 secured to the front panel and the enclosure supports peripherally and tautly a porous cloth 20, separated from the diaphragm by at least the depth of the port. The cloth is provided with a plurality of suitably colored tightly spaced elongated elements of metallic foil 22 secured at one end to the cloth. It will be understood, of course, that any number of known methods and construction may be used for supporting the grill cloth in position and spaced a desired distance from the speaker diaphragm. The cloth is so positioned that, in the absence of sound, gravity causes all elements to point downward. When the speaker is energized, the sound pressure waves pass through the port and strike the cloth causing it to move back and forth. The elements flutter and glitter and move up and down, the functional cooperation between the loudspeaker sound waves and the elements, thus providing an unusual and visually exciting effect.

While I have described my invention with particular reference to the drawings, such is not to be considered as limiting its actual scope.

Having thus described this invention, what is asserted as new is:

1. In combination with a loudspeaker enclosure having a front port disposed in a front panel; a porous speaker grill covering said port and spaced a predetermined distance from the diaphragm of said loudspeaker providing an air space therebetween, frame means for holding said speaker grill in place over said port, and a plurality of closely packed elongated flexible elements secured at one end only to said grill, said elements being caused to flutter and move up and down freely responsive to sound waves from said loudspeaker passing through said port.

2. The combination according to claim 1 wherein said speaker grill is composed of a porous flexible cloth, said frame means serving to hold said cloth in a taut condition over said port.

3. The combination according to claim 2 wherein said eion gated elements comprise strips of metallic foil.

4. The combination according to claim 2 wherein said cloth is located on the outside face of said front panel, the depth of said air space being at least equal to the thickness of said anel. p 5. The combination according to claim 2 wherein said cloth grill is movable responsive to the sound waves from said loudspeaker. 

1. In combination with a loudspeaker enclosure having a front port disposed in a front panel; a porous speaker grill covering said port and spaced a predetermined distance from the diaphragm of said loudspeaker providing an air space therebetween, frame means for holding said speaker grill in place over said port, and a plurality of closely packed elongated flexible elements secured at one end only to said grill, said elements being caused to flutter and move up and down freely responsive to sound waves from said loudspeaker passing through said port.
 2. The combination according to claim 1 wherein said speaker grill is composed of a porous flexible cloth, said frame means serving to hold said cloth in a tAut condition over said port.
 3. The combination according to claim 2 wherein said elongated elements comprise strips of metallic foil.
 4. The combination according to claim 2 wherein said cloth is located on the outside face of said front panel, the depth of said air space being at least equal to the thickness of said panel.
 5. The combination according to claim 2 wherein said cloth grill is movable responsive to the sound waves from said loudspeaker. 